The
Brihadeswara temple is one of the most ancient and the most celebrated
Hindu temple in the world. The temple is located in the city of
Thanjavur that is also known as Tanjore, in the Indian province of
Tamilnadu. The UNESCO has adjudged this thousand years old temple a "World
Heritage Site".

Brihadeswara is the most illustrious and a brilliant example of the
Dravidian style temple architecture. The building that carries the main
sanctum is known as the 'Periya Kovil'. This stands amidst fortified
walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The 'Vimana' of the
temple is about 70 meters and is among the tallest of its kind in the
world. The 'Shikharam' (crown) of Brihadeswara temple is itself very
large and heavy (81.25 tons) and has been carved out of a single stone.

The great Tamil ruler, Rajaraja Chola I of the Chola dynasty, built the
Brihadeswara temple. Later various additions were made in the temple but
the most prominent one among these was the addition of a copper pot over
the tower by King Rajaraja Chola II. The main deity that is worshiped in
this temple is Lord Shiva. He is worshipped in the form of Lingam. This
was originally called Adavallan that meant an expert dancer. The same
name occurs in Thiruvisaipa as the name of the deity at Chidambaram. The
tower over the shrine is named Dakshina Meru after the abode of Lord
Shiva at Kailash that is also called Meru Mountain in Hindu scriptures.

Another remarkable feature of the temple is the great Nandi (stone
bull) that is established at the entrance of the temple as well as
ceiling of its enclosure that is decorated with frescoes in the typical
Thanjavur style of painting. The Nandi weighs 27 tons and is probably
the largest of its kind in the world.